Spatially-defined modification of fresh tissue using covalent chemistry

ABSTRACT

Methods for modification of tissue using covalent chemistry. Tissue can be modified through direct alkylation, reduction followed by alkylation, or oxidation followed by condensation to covalently attach small organic molecules or appropriately modified proteins. The modification can be spatially limited to desired regions of the tissue surface.

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 60/613,827, entitled “Spatially-Defined Modification of FreshTissue Using Covalent Chemistry” filed on Sep. 28, 2004, the entirecontent of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to a method for the covalent modification oftissue with small molecules and functional proteins.

The importance of interactions between proliferating cells and substratesurfaces, and especially surface proteins and carbohydrates, has longbeen an active area of study. It is increasingly well understood howsurface molecular composition, topology, and geometric patterning ofextracellular matrix (“ECM”) molecules influence specific biologicalprocesses and have a critical role in cell growth regulation anddifferentiation, cell migration, apoptosis, and general morphogenesis.Accordingly, there has been significant effort expended to developmethods to create surfaces for tissue culture that are patterned withspecific biologically relevant molecules in order in influence theaforementioned properties.

A variety of methods are known for the chemoselective modification ofspecific functional groups found in complex proteins. In general, thischemistry is solution chemistry, and these methods have been developedfor the modification of soluble proteins. The electrophilic aromaticsubstitution of the tyrosine phenol functionality is a very specificexample. Often, chloramine-T is used to reduce iodide, resulting in theintroduction of iodine (most often a radioactive isotope such as I-129or I-131) into the protein's tyrosine residues at the position ortho tothe phenol. However, this chemistry is limited, as the conjugation ofcomplex molecules to the target protein is often the goal.

For a more general example, the amine residues found in most proteins(at the N-terminus as well as from lysine residues) are readilymodified, most commonly with electrophilic acylating agents. While thischemical modification is straightforward and relatively general, thereare often numerous amines that exhibit similar reactivity in a givenprotein, and this methodology is considered to be rather non-selective.Additionally, this strategy precludes the use of amine-containingfunctionalities in the acylating agent, therefore dramatically limitingthe structural complexity of the modification reagent.

A functional group that has proven extremely useful for site-specificprotein modification is the free sulfhydryl. This functionality can beeither found in native protein (for example in albumin), revealed viathe reduction of disulfides bonds found in the native protein (forexample, the reduction of F(ab)2 IgG antibody fragments to releaseFab-SH fragments), or introduced into the protein by reaction with areagent such as Traut's reagent. Protein-bound thiol groups can beselectively alkylated using maleimide reagents or α-halo carbonylcompounds (although this is typically less chemoselective, asα-halocarbonyls also react with protein amines at a competitive rate).Since free sulfhydryls are rarely found in native protein, the number ofreducible disulfides is usually very limited, and the maleimidealkylation of thiols is very chemoselective, this chemistry isconsidered to be more precise and controllable than the amine alkylationmethodology. Additionally, the chemoselectivity of this methodologyallows the use of highly functionalized conjugation reagents.

Many additional methods for the modification of soluble proteins havebeen developed but have been applied much less widely. For example,carbonyl residues generated by the oxidation of sugar residues found inglycosylated proteins can be reacted with amines (reductive alkylation)or hydrazide-containing reagents (to afford hydrazones). However, atthis time there have been no reports of producing patterns of functionalproteins on fresh tissue surfaces.

SUMMARY

This invention relates to methods for modifying tissue using covalentchemistry.

A variety of collageneous tissues can be readily modified, includingbovine meniscus, aorta, pericardium, and cornea, as well as fetal pigskin. These tissues can be either modified in a spatially defined manner(by physically limiting the sites of exposure of the tissue to thereagents), or in a uniform, bulk fashion (by exposing the entire tissuesample to the desired reagents).

The tissue modification can be performed on “unactivated” surfaces byusing amine-reactive reagents (electrophilic reagents such as activeesters). Alternatively, the tissue surface can first be activated togenerate reactive species in addition to those found in the nativetissue. For example, tissue disulfides can be selectively reduced by thephosphine reductant triscarboxyethylphosphine. Subsequently, the reducedtissue surface will react with a thiol-reactive electrophile such as amaleimide. A second activation strategy is periodate-based oxidation,which results in the conversion of geminal diols, such as those found inthe proteoglytcan tissue matrix, to carbonyl compounds. This oxidationcan be followed with reaction of the tissue surface with nucleophilicreagents such as hydrazides.

The tissue surface covalent modification step may involve a condensationreaction with either a small organic molecule (such as biotin hydrazideor the N-hydroxysuccinimide ester of biotin) or anappropriately-modified protein (such as maleimide-substituted avidin).Whichever strategy is used, the modifications are functional. Thetissue-bound biotin retains its ability to bind to avidin, and thetissue-bound avidin is able to bind biotin-substituted molecules(including biotinylated proteins).

The presence of the desired tissue surface modifications has beenprimarily detected using chemiluminescent techniques. Forbiotin-modified surfaces, avidin-horseradish peroxidase can beselectively immobilized and will provide a signal (light) in thepresence of luminal. Similarly, biotinylated horseradish peroxidase canbe used in the detection of avidin-modified tissues.

A number of practical applications can be proposed for a technology thatallows patterns of proteins on fresh tissue surfaces. These includeenhancing or reducing specific protein and cellular adhesions (useful intransplantation and the use of autologous, engineered, or foreign tissuein therapy), directing morphogenesis for the development of specificcell types in specific locations, and the recruitment of immune orhealing responses.

One application is in the area of wound healing. By attaching proteinsor other molecules directly to the site of injury a localized healingeffect can be stimulated. For example, the immobilization of solubletissue factor to wound surfaces should result in local thrombosis andthe accompanying release of soluble proteins that enhance healing. Otherproteins involved in wound healing could also be used. Alternatively,anti-coagulant proteins or peptides such as a tissue factor pathwayinhibitory peptide could be used to avoid clotting at certain definedsites, again potentially enhancing wound care. Proteins or peptidescould be incorporated after angioplasty to slow cell growth and avoidrestenosis.

This methodology could also be used in tissue engineering. For example,angiogenesis could be enhanced in a spatially designed fashion inartificial organs by the use of well characterized angiogenic proteinsand peptides. As a specific example, cultured skin could be modified ina spatially defined fashion with proteins aimed at enhancing celladhesion or the development of a capillary network (angiogenesis).

As a final example, tissue immunogenicity could be enhanced by modifyingsurfaces with immunogenic protein or peptides. This could be used topotentially elicit an immune response to a given tissue—for example asolid tumor that has escaped the immune system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a general scheme for direct alkylation of tissue surfaceamines.

FIG. 2 shows general examples of active ester functionalities.

FIG. 3 shows examples of biotin active esters which can be used fordirect tissue alkylation.

FIG. 4 shows a general scheme for oxidation of the tissue surface,followed by condensation with a hydrazide reagent to form a hydrazonelinkage.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a biotin hydrazide reagent.

FIG. 6 shows a general scheme for reduction of the tissue surface,followed by maleimide-based alkylation.

FIG. 7 shown an example of a biotin maleimide reagent.

FIG. 8 shows a general scheme for detection of biotin-modified tissue bychemiluminescence.

FIG. 9 shows a general scheme for detection of avidin-modified tissue bychemiluminescence.

FIG. 10 shows the dose-response analysis of a tissue sample at variouslocations after undergoing TCEP reduction, followed by incubation withavidin-maleimide, biotin-HRP, and luminal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

There are several schemes and methods which can be utilized formodification of tissue using covalent chemistry. The modifying agent canbe a protein or a small compound such as biotin. Depending on the schemeused for modification, the modifying agent can have an active esterfunctionality, a hydrazide functionality, or a maleimide functionality.

In a first general scheme, the tissue can be modified by directalkylation. Unactivated tissue surfaces can be covalently modified by avariety of active esters, as shown in the general scheme illustrated inFIG. 1. Groups on the tissue surface which will be alkylated by theactive ester functionality include any amine groups, especially lysineepsilon amino groups and the N-terminus of proteins. Any modifying agentwith an active ester functionality or group can be used for thealkylation. Agents with active ester groups include those with leavinggroups. General structures for active ester functionalities are shown inFIG. 2. In the structures shown in FIG. 2, the group “X” is the leavinggroup. A leaving group is generally defined as that part of a substratemolecule which is cleaved in a heterolytic reaction and which usuallydoesn't contain carbon. Some preferred examples of the leaving group “X”include halogens, especially bromine, chlorine, and fluorine,tetrafluorophenoxy, pentafluorophenoxy, azido, N-hydroxysuccinimido(“NHS”), 2-sulfo-NHS, anhydride (carboxylate, sulfonate, orphosphonate), alkyl thiolate, and aryl thiolate.

In a preferred embodiment, biotin derivatives such as biotin activeesters can be covalently attached to tissue surface amines throughdirect alkylation. Examples of preferred biotin derivatives includebiotin-NHS, biotin-sulfoNHS, biotin-LC-NHS, biotin-LC-sulfoNHS,biotin-LC-LC-NHS, and biotin-LC-LC-sulfoNHS which are illustrated inFIG. 3. “LC” stands for “long chain,” which represents a seven atomspacer between biotin and the NHS ester. Another example of a preferredbiotin derivative is tetrafluorophenyl polyethylene oxide biotin(TFP-PEO-biotin), which is also shown in FIG. 3. The active esterreagents are preferably used at about 0.05-0.5 M concentrations, andmore preferably at 0.1 M concentrations, in phosphate buffered saline(“PBS”) or in a solution of 9:1 PBS to dimethylsulfoxide (“DMSO”), ifnecessary for solubilization. The active ester compounds are preferablyincubated with the tissue at room temperature for about 12 hours. Thedirect alkylation modification can be carried out at spatially-definedregions on the tissue surface by physically restricting the area oftissue surface which comes into contact with the biotin active ester.

In a second general scheme, the tissue can be modified by oxidation ofthe tissue surface followed by condensation with hydrazide reagent toform a hydrazone linkage. This is shown in the general schemeillustrated in FIG. 4. Any modifying agent having a hydrazidefunctionality can be used in the condensation step. This method fortissue modification involves the exposure of the desired regions of thetissue surface to a PBS solution of sodium periodate, preferably atabout 0.05-0.5 M, and more preferably at 0.08 M, for about 4-8 hours atroom temperature. The oxidized tissue surface can then be covalentlymodified by exposure to modifying agents such as hydraze derivatives. Acondensation reaction with the hydraze derivative forms a hydrazonelinkage. A preferred example of a hydrazide reagent is biotin hydrazide,which is illustrated as Compound 3 in FIG. 5. A solution of biotinhydrazide in PBS:DMSO (9:1), preferably at about 10-100 μM, and morepreferably at 12 μM, is then exposed to the tissue surface. The exposureis preferably for about 10-15 hours at 4° C.

A third example of a method for tissue modification involves reductionof the tissue surface followed by alkylation. The general scheme forreduction followed by alkylation is shown in FIG. 6. Any modifying agenthaving a maleimide functionality can be used in the alkylation step.Reductive activation involves exposure of the tissue surface to a PBSsolution of triscarboxyethylphosphine (“TCEP”), preferably at about0.05-0.5 M and more preferably at 0.1 M, for a short period of time, orabout 1-30 minutes, at room temperature. The reduced tissue surface canthen be modified by exposure to electrophilic reagents such asmaleimides or α-halo carbonyl compounds. Preferably, biotin maleimide,which is illustrated as Compound 4 in FIG. 7, can be used to modifyreductively activated tissue surfaces. The biotin maleimide, preferablyat about 0.01-0.1 M, and more preferably at 0.05 M, in 9:1 PBS:DMSO, isexposed to the activated tissue preferably at room temperature for about1-4 hours. Alternatively, functionalized proteins such asavidin-maleimide, preferably at about 0.1 to 1 mg/ml in PBS, and morepreferably at 0.25 mg/ml, and horseradish peroxidase-maleimide candirectly alkylate free thiols on reductively-activated tissue surfaces.In one preferred example, exposure of a reductively activated tissuesurface to a 0.20 mg/ml solution of avidin-maleimide in PBS for about1-4 hours at room temperature results in the covalent immobilization offunctionally-competent avidin protein.

The most common and preferred method for detecting the tissuemodification is chemiluminescence. If the modifying reagent, which isillustrated as “R” in FIGS. 1, 4, and 6, is inherently fluorescent itcould be detected by measuring its fluorescence directly. Unfortunately,the background tissue fluorescence can make this difficult. Thepreferred device for detection of the chemiluminescence of the tissuemodification is the Bio-Rad Fluor-S Multi-Imager (Bio-Rad Laboratories,Inc., Hercules, Calif.).

Biotinylated tissue surfaces can be readily detected using achemiluminescent assay based on the selective binding ofavidin-horseradish peroxidase (avidin-HRP) and the subsequent emissionof light after exposure of the avidin-HRP to an appropriate substrate. Ageneral scheme for this detection method is shown in FIG. 8.

Tissue that has been directly modified with avidin (via reductionfollowed by alkylation with avidin maleimide) can also be detected usingchemiluminescence, as in the general scheme shown in FIG. 9. Otherenzyme systems such as β-galactosidase and X-Gal (which results in avisual blue precipitate) can also be used but with lower sensitivity.

For the following examples, fresh animal parts were purchased from H&BPacking Co. (Waco, Tex. —bovine menisci) or Animal Technologies, Inc.(Tyler, Tex. —all other tissues). Tissue samples were used fresh (withinone week of harvest), stored at 4° C., and kept hydrated by continuousexposure to a PBS solution. Meniscal and corneal tissues were dissectedto afford thin and relatively flat sections. Skin and pericardium werecleaned to remove fat and connective tissue. Chemical reagents were thebest grade available and were purchased from VWR (Poole, England),Pierce (Rockford, Ill.), Sigma-Aldrich (St. Louis, Mo.), or MolecularProbes (Eugene, Oreg.). Images were acquired on a Fluor-S Multi-Imager(Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., Hercules, Calif.) and analyzed using theBio-Rad software.

Example 1 Direct Alkylation with Spatial Resolution

A sample of fresh bovine pericardium was cleared of fat and cut to fiton a 96-well plate. 210 μL of a 0.1 M solution of NHS-LC-biotin (theN-hydroxysuccinimide ester of the 6-aminohexanoic acid amide of biotin)in PBS (10% v/v DMSO added for solubility) was added to wells to bemodified, and 210 μL PBS (also 10% DMSO) was added to all other wells toserve as a control. The tissue sample was placed over the filled wells,a solid glass cover was clamped into place using spring clamps, and theentire apparatus was flipped over so that the reagents contacted thetissue surface. After the tissue had been exposed for about 12 hours atroom temperature, the apparatus was dissembled and the tissue wastransferred to a small Petri dish and thoroughly washed with PBS threetimes for ten minutes with a change of solution between each wash.

The final wash solution was replaced by a PBS solution ofavidin-horseradish peroxidase (0.03 mg/ml) and the tissue was incubatedfor 2 hours at room temperature. The tissue samples were once againwashed with PBS three times for ten minutes with a change of solutionbetween each wash and then immersed in the chemiluminescence substrate(Supersignal® West Pico, Pierce) at room temperature for 3-5 minutes.The tissue was then removed from the luminal solution, blotted withpaper towels to remove excess solution, placed on a sheet of plasticfilm, and placed into the imager for detection of the chemiluminescenceusing ultrasensitive chemiluminescence settings with the aperturecompletely open and 100 second acquisition.

The positive signal appeared as a series of bright dots corresponding toregions of the tissue which had been contacted with the wells containingNHS-LC-biotin.

Example 2 Oxidation and Alkylation of Tissue Segments

A sample of fetal pig skin was cleared of fat and out into squaresapproximately 1 cm/side. Skin samples were placed into the compartmentsof a 12 well plate and approximately 1.5 mL of a 0.08 M solution ofsodium periodate in PBS was added to half of the wells. Additional wellswere filled with 1.5 mL of PBS to serve as control samples. The sampleswere incubated for 8 hours at room temperature and then the solutionswere decanted and the tissue samples washed thoroughly with PBS threetimes for ten minutes with a change of solution between each wash.

After washing all of the tissue samples were incubated in a PBS solutionof biotin-hydrazide (with 10% v/v DMSO to assist in solubilizing thereagent) overnight (approximately 15 hours) at 4° C. The tissue was thenthoroughly washed with PBS three times for ten minutes with a change ofsolution between each wash, and the final wash solution was replaced bya PBS solution of avidin-horseradish peroxidase (0.03 mg/ml). Afterincubation for 2 hours at room temperature the tissue samples were onceagain washed with PBS three times for ten minutes with a change ofsolution between each wash and then immersed in the chemiluminescencesubstrate (Supersignal® West Pico, Pierce) at room temperature for 3-5minutes. The tissue was then removed from the luminal solution, blottedwith paper towels to remove excess solution, placed on a sheet ofplastic film, and placed into the imager for detection of thechemiluminescence using ultrasensitive chemiluminescence settings withthe aperture completely open and 100 second acquisition.

The positive signal appeared as a relatively bright, uniform tissuesample for those tissue samples which had been incubated with sodiumperiodate, while the control samples were dark and almost undetectable.

Example 3 Reduction and Alkylation with Spatial Resolution

A sample of fresh bovine pericardium was cleared of fat and cut to fiton a 1536-well plate. 10 μL of a 0.1 M solution of TCEP in PBS was addedto wells to be reduced, the tissue sample was placed over the plate, asolid glass cover was clamped into place using spring clamps, and theentire apparatus was flipped over so that the reagents contacted thetissue surface. After the tissue was exposed for 50 minutes at roomtemperature, the apparatus was dissembled and the tissue was transferredto a small Petri dish. The tissue was thoroughly washed with PBS threetimes for ten minutes, with a change of solution between each wash.After reduction, the pericardium tissue appeared significantly moretranslucent.

The PBS wash solution was then replaced by a solution ofavidin-maleimide (0.20 mg/ml in PBS) and the tissue incubated overnight(approximately 15 hours) at 4° C. The tissue was then thoroughly washedwith PBS three times for ten minutes with a change of solution betweeneach wash, and the final wash solution replaced by a PBS solution ofbiotin-horseradish peroxidase (0.03 mg/ml). After incubation for 2 hoursat room temperature the tissue was once again washed with PBS threetimes for ten minutes with a change of solution between each wash andthen immersed in the chemiluminescence substrate (Supersignal® WestPico, Pierce) at room temperature for 3-5 minutes. The tissue was thenremoved from the luminal solution, blotted with paper towels to removeexcess solution, placed on a sheet of plastic film, and placed into theimager for detection of the chemiluminescence using ultrasensitivechemiluminescence settings, with the aperture completely open, for 100second acquisition.

The positive signal appeared as a series of bright dots corresponding tothe regions where the wells containing TCEP had contacted the tissue.

Example 4 Reduction and Alkylation with a Dose Response Determination

A sample of fresh bovine pericardium was cleared of fat and cut to fiton a well plate. Various concentrations of TCEP in PBS were added tocolumns 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 of the plate at 210 μL solution per well(0.1, 0.05, 0.025, 0.015, 0.01, and 0.005 M TCEP, respectively). Thewells in the control columns (2, 4, 6, and 8) contained PBS. The tissuesample was placed over the plate, and the remainder of the experimentproceeded as described in Example 3, including the tissue washes,alkylation with avidin-maleimide, further tissue washes, incubation withbiotin-HRP, further tissue washes, and incubation with luminal. Thepositive signal appeared as a series of bright dots with the brightestdots appearing in the columns having the greatest concentration of TCEP.The relationship of signal to the concentration of reducing agent isclearly shown in FIG. 10. The signal is the average value (number ofcounts) for a given column as measured by the Bio-Rad software.

Example 5 Reduction and Alkylation with Quantification

A sample of fetal pig skin (second trimester) was cleared of fat andconnective tissue and cut to fit on a well plate. 10 μL of a 0.1 Msolution of TCEP in PBS was added to wells to be reduced, the tissuesample was placed over the plate, a solid glass cover was clamped intoplace using spring clamps, and the entire apparatus was flipped over sothat the reagents contacted the tissue surface. After the tissue hadbeen exposed for 50 minutes at room temperature, the apparatus wasdissembled and the tissue was transferred to a small Petri dish andthoroughly washed with PBS three times for ten minutes with a change ofsolution between each wash. The PBS wash solution was then replaced by asolution of avidin-maleimide (0.25 mg/ml in PBS) and the tissueincubated overnight (approximately 15 hours) at 4° C. The tissue wasthen thoroughly washed with PBS three times for ten minutes with achange of solution between each wash.

At the same time, a slot blot was prepared with serial dilutions ofavidin of 20, 10, 5, 2.5, 1.25, and 0.625 μg/mL blotted on thenitrocellulose membrane, corresponding to 4, 2, 1, 0.5, 0.25, and 0.125μg per 200 μL applied to each slot. The membrane was placed into thePetri dish with the tissue sample and processed alongside it. The tissueand the nitrocellulose membrane were then immersed in a PBS solution ofbiotin-horseradish peroxidase (0.03 mg/ml) for 2 hours at roomtemperature, then washed with PBS three times for ten minutes with achange of solution between each wash, and finally immersed in thechemiluminescence substrate (Supersignal® West Pico, Pierce) at roomtemperature for 3-5 minutes. The tissue and membrane were then removedfrom the luminal solution, blotted with paper towels to remove excesssolution, placed on a sheet of plastic film, and placed into the imagerfor detection of the chemiluminescence using ultrasensitivechemiluminescence settings with the aperture completely open for a 100second acquisition. The positive signal appeared as a bright signalagainst a dark background.

Only the two highest concentrations of avidin on the slot blot wereevident under these conditions. The strongest signal came from theapplication of 4 μg of avidin to the slot, which corresponds to about 1μg/mm² if quantitative immobilization is assumed. Since the signalintensity on the tissue was approximately the same as the strongestsignal from the slot blot (determined using freely available NIH ImageJ1.32j imaging software), it was determined that the amount of proteinimmobilized on the tissue was at least 1 μg/mm².

1-13. (canceled)
 14. A method for covalent modification of a tissuesurface with a modifying agent, comprising: exposing the tissue surfaceto a reducing agent to give a reduced tissue surface; and exposing thereduced tissue surface to the modifying agent, wherein the modifyingagent is an electrophilic reagent which undergoes alkylation with thetissue surface.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the reducing agentis triscarboxyethylphosphine (“TCEP”).
 16. The method of claim 14,wherein the modifying agent comprises a maleimide functionality.
 17. Themethod of claim 16, wherein the modifying agent is biotin maleimide. 18.The method of claim 16, wherein the modifying agent is avidin maleimide.19. The method of claim 16, wherein the modifying agent is horseradishperoxidase maleimide.
 20. The method of claim 14, wherein the modifyingagent is an α-halo carbonyl compound.
 21. The method of claim 14,wherein the tissue surface is exposed to the reducing agent in spatiallylocalized regions.
 22. (canceled)
 23. A method for covalent modificationof a fresh collagenous tissue surface with a modifying agent,comprising: exposing the fresh collagenous tissue surface without fixingthe tissue to triscarboxyethylphosphine (“TCEP”) to give a reducedtissue surface; and exposing the reduced tissue surface to a modifyingagent selected from the group consisting of biotin maleimide, avidinmaleimide, horseradish peroxidase maleimide, and an α-halo carbonylcompound.